Fire in the Var: Hyères Neighborhood Evacuated, Firefighter Injured

A forest fire broke virulent Saturday night between Hyères and La Londe-les-Maures (Var), covering some 330 hectares near urban areas and destroying a house, did was learned from the prefecture.

The fire, described as “very virulent” and “very violent” by the chief of the prefecture of the Var, Emmanuel Cayron, expained at 10pm in Hyères and has spread to the neighboring town of La Londe-les-Maures.

La La Couture district in Hyères was evacuated overnight. The Mayor of Hyères opened the hall of the Casino Forum to accommodate the locals. Several roads and a power line was cut.

A firefighter injured his ankle

According to latest information, the fire was about to be mastered even if the wind is advertised fears of times. “Despite the conditions, it happens to contain the fire and one is in the favorable conditions to set the fire in the day, says Serge La Vialle, the commander of the brigade. He several times and ground facilities we come to the contain. a fireman carried a fall and suffered a frature ankle. “

“The evacuations have gone very well. 150 people were evacuated and congratulate the rescue. Two houses have been affected and cars damaged. Everybody is back evacuees camping, accurate, for his part, François Mayor Canson Mayor Lalonde the Moors. The landscape is dramatic. This is our heritage has been destroyed. “

In the middle of night, some 330 hectares had burned, said the prefecture, and a house was destroyed by fire. The campsite of Pascalinette to La Londe-les-Maures was evacuated and municipal halls made provisions for people seeking refuge. Civil protection Var announced in the evening to provide assistance to 119 people “hosted following the fire” .

An operational crisis center has been set up by the prefect to coordinate relief. Several roads and a power line was cut. On the ground, Var 150 firefighters were mobilized, and some 300 men arrived as reinforcements from neighboring departments.

An injured firefighter

The Canadair and other means of aerial fight against the fire can not be used at night. “The fire is very large, it is impressive. Flames seen on the crest of the hills, and blue lights that twinkle firefighters “, described Daniele, a resident of Hyères.

In addition to the fire in the Var, several smaller outbreaks were reported in Corsica Saturday, burning dozens of hectares. Sunday was again a high risk day in more massive because of dry weather and strong winds.